Toronto board of trade calls for zoning and building code reform

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeReal EstateToronto board of trade calls for zoning and building code reform'The housing gap has become one of the most significant constraints on the Toronto region’s long-term economic growth'Last updated 5 minutes ago The trade board proposes developing a provincial zoning code that gives every municipality the same framework and the same terminology. Photo by Creative Touch Imaging Ltd./NurPhoto via Getty ImagesThe Toronto Region Board of Trade is calling on the provincial government to reform zoning and the Ontario Building Code to add supply to the housing market.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe board said hundreds of zoning rules add cost and slow construction, making it harder for Ontario builders to scale projects.It said that by 2029, Ontario is projected to fall more than 550,000 homes short of its 1.5 million-home target.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.“Because of the ongoing trade war with the United States, governments are striving to build a more self-reliant, resilient economy,” Toronto Region Board of Trade chief executive Giles Gherson said in a news release. “Without enough housing, we risk losing the talent needed to make it happen.”SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: FP West: Energy Insider brings you behind the oilpatch’s closed doors with exclusive insights from insiders every Wednesday morning.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of FP West: Energy Insider will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againIn its report, the board said Ontario should approach municipal housing barriers similarly to how Canada is tackling interprovincial trade barriers. It added that more consistent rules would create a larger, more unified housing market where builders can replicate projects and deliver homes at greater scale.“The fastest approval is the one you do not need to apply for,” said Gherson.He said broader as-of-right development, clearer provincial zoning standards and a modernized building code is the minimum needed to meet Ontario’s housing goals.The board proposes developing a provincial zoning code that gives every municipality the same framework and the same terminology, while leaving them to decide where each permission applies.For example, establishing province-wide limits on parking, setbacks, lot coverage, height, density and how far upper storeys must step back.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.The report said in the past decade, roughly 240,000 working-aged people left the Toronto region for other parts of Ontario, which meant the region losing talent.“The housing gap has become one of the most significant constraints on the Toronto region’s long-term economic growth and competitiveness,” the report said.It said that the province is well behind the pace it needs to build homes up to target because the system that regulates housing is “complicated, fragmented, hard to navigate and unpredictable.”“Ontario cannot meet its housing needs without making it easier to build, and these reforms would give builders the certainty, consistency and flexibility they need,” the report said.It said that having adequate housing is key to long-term economic health.“We are in the middle of an economic renaissance full of change and new opportunity, but without enough housing, we risk losing the talent needed to make it happen and secure our long-term prosperity,” it said.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.